Public Meeting – Lake Ontario Eastern Basin Walleye

[Pair of Jacks]

DEC Bureau of Fisheries biologists and managers are hosting a public meeting to discuss walleye management in Lake Ontario’s eastern basin on June 23rd in Three Mile Bay, NY. The meeting will allow anglers to have discussions with DEC staff about a range of potential fisheries management actions for the walleye fishery in eastern Lake Ontario.
The meeting starts on Monday, June 23, at 6 PM at the Sally Port View, 7828 NY-12E, Three Mile Bay, NY 13693. No registration is required to attend. For more information, contact Chris Legard, Lake Ontario Unit Leader, at [email protected] or 315-654-2147.
 

[Kevin J Legg]

I’m planning on attending 

[Kevin J Legg]

  The meeting was pretty chaotic. Acoustics were awful and people were pretty rude in over talking the presenters.

It appeared most wanted a walleye stocking program which DEC said isn’t a viable option and would not be effective over the large area.
  DEC is looking at spawning habitat enhancement and perhaps a change in limits. 
  About the only consensus is that the walleye numbers in the eastern basin is down.

 

[Pair of Jacks]

Kevin—thanks for the update.  While I am not a expert (other than being a former drip under pressure 🤣🤣🤣🤣), stocking programs for fish that have a sustainable natural reproduction capability is generally moving deck chairs on the Titanic if DEC has not found the root cause of the perceived population decline.  I always prefer those responsible for wildlife management programs do their jobs and share the results of the research along either including public input.  All to often sportsmen want a quick fix which typically creates a local optima, but sub-optimizes the long term outcome.

 

It reminds me of the catch phrase in my edition of “Fishing for Dummies”…”that’s why they call ‘fishing’ and not ‘catching’…

[Kingfisher06]

Wish I could have attended but had to coach little league. I am wondering if they talked about how much we rely on Bay of Quinte fish migrating to Chaumont in the spring. I think, if my memory serves me right these post spawn Quinte fish nearly B-line to Chaumont to intercept the spawning alewives-backed up by Queens University GPS studies. If these Quinte fish are bypassing Chaumont for areas with better bait (this year) maybe it seems like our native #s are lower when they might not be? 

[GAMBLER]

14 hours ago, Pair of Jacks said:

Kevin—thanks for the update.  While I am not a expert (other than being a former drip under pressure 🤣🤣🤣🤣), stocking programs for fish that have a sustainable natural reproduction capability is generally moving deck chairs on the Titanic if DEC has not found the root cause of the perceived population decline.  I always prefer those responsible for wildlife management programs do their jobs and share the results of the research along either including public input.  All to often sportsmen want a quick fix which typically creates a local optima, but sub-optimizes the long term outcome.

 

It reminds me of the catch phrase in my edition of “Fishing for Dummies”…”that’s why they call ‘fishing’ and not ‘catching’…

It is well know that the walleye are affected by thiamine deficiency from eating alewife.  The Alewife biomass has been climbing and is really high this year.  Alewife population is up, therefore walleye population will decline.  Another factor is the ice fishing toll.  Lots of publicity of the trophy fishery has drawn a lot of guys and a lot of big breeder walleye have been plucked from the system.  I would think a Slot limit would be a great option of the area.  Why not protect your prime breeders? 

[Pair of Jacks]

Slot limit is a great plan and a responsible approach.  DEC is also going have to invest in Amazon auto-delivery of thiamine tablets for our ailing walleye🤣🤣🤣🤣.

[Kevin J Legg]

Interesting that the river walleye population seems to be doing well. From what I see the river fish feed mostly on gobies rather than alewives. I wonder if this has anything to do with the difference. I find few alewives but many gobies in river walleyes stomachs.

[Kingfisher06]

Correct me if I am wrong-the large flush of Quinte eyes that we fish in the spring have not been replenished in large part due to the Canadians ceasing their stocking program-is that true? 

[Kingfisher06]

And Kevin, you’re right, maybe the best start to a year river fishing I can remember.  

[Roughrider]

An update to the regs may be coming next season. Stocking is not an option.

seasonal dates and possession limits are currently under review. More spawning site upgrades on the table. This is aimed at the lake fishery, the Larry won’t be involved.

[Roughrider]

On 6/25/2025 at 1:06 PM, Kevin J Legg said:

Interesting that the river walleye population seems to be doing well. From what I see the river fish feed mostly on gobies rather than alewives. I wonder if this has anything to do with the difference. I find few alewives but many gobies in river walleyes stomachs.

Tons of alewives in the river mouth area, they feed on them till they head back out after the temp break sets up.